Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies has capped his first full Pro Motocross season with the 250 championship, securing the title on his 19th birthday at Ironman Raceway.
Cole Davies has added another championship to his impressive 2026 collection, securing the 250 Pro Motocross title at the Ironman National in Crawfordsville, Indiana.
The Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider entered the final round with a 14-point advantage and needed to keep his title rival in sight to secure the championship.
Davies started the weekend in perfect fashion, taking fastest qualifier honours before getting a strong start in Moto 1 and settling into second.
He was shuffled back to third early in the race but continued to fight at the sharp end of the field, moving back into second on Lap 3 when the race leader crashed.
A few laps later, the championship picture changed dramatically when Davies’ title rival crashed and was unable to continue.
Davies maintained a strong pace in second for much of the moto before dropping to third on Lap 11. He held on to finish third, which was enough to secure the 2026 250 Pro Motocross Championship.
With the title wrapped up, Davies went on the attack in Moto 2. He again got a strong start and quickly moved into the lead, passing both of his teammates to give Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing a lockout of the top four in the opening laps.
Davies was shuffled back to second around halfway before dropping further down the order as the moto progressed, eventually finishing 13th and seventh overall for the day.
The championship caps an impressive first full Pro Motocross season for the 19-year-old New Zealander. Davies finished the series with four overall victories, seven overall podiums and eight moto wins.
The title also makes Davies the first New Zealander to win an outdoor AMA National Championship, while he becomes just the third-youngest rider to win both the 250 Supercross and Pro Motocross championships in the same season.
The championship was also Davies’ second SMX World Championship title of 2026.
“To get two championships so far this year, it’s unreal,” said Davies. “Honestly, to win it on my birthday too, you can’t even dream of this stuff.
“I’m just stoked to win the 250 Pro Motocross Championship. Growing up, I’ve been dreaming of this, so to do it, it’s unreal.”
MINEAR EARNS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR HONOURS
It was also a strong end to the season for Australian Kayden Minear, who was crowned 2026 250MX Rookie of the Year after completing his first full Pro Motocross campaign.
Minear finished eighth overall at Ironman, opening Moto 1 in eighth before charging into fifth during the opening laps. He eventually crossed the line eighth.
The Australian made an even stronger start in Moto 2, slotting into second and joining Davies and Landen Gordon in the battle at the front. He was third at the end of the opening lap before being shuffled back to fourth on Lap 3.
After dropping to ninth around the halfway mark, Minear fought back to eighth in the closing laps to complete an 8-8 score and eighth overall.
Minear finished the championship sixth in the 250MX standings, recording three moto podiums and three top-five overall finishes during his rookie campaign.
“It was a solid day here in Ironman,” said Minear. “I struggled a lot in the first moto, but the second moto got off to a really good start.
“Me, Colin (Cole), and Landen kind of got away for a few laps, but I was just struggling with a few things. We’ll get it sorted. I’m looking forward to SMX.”
For Davies, however, the Ironman National will be remembered as the day he turned a dream into reality – becoming a Pro Motocross champion on his 19th birthday.
Photos: Yamaha USA.
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